Bullpen Heroics on the Fourth of July

Game 24: Toronto Maple Leafs at Brantford Red Sox, July 4, 2018

Leafs win 3-2

When the Toronto Maple Leafs last played in Brantford in June, they demolished the Red Sox 9-0. 

At the time, we wondered if they saved any runs for their return visit on the Fourth of July. Turns out they saved just enough, taking a 3-2 victory last night thanks to the bat of Marcus Knecht and a dominant performance by the bullpen.

Three batters into the game, the Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Shortstop Aaron Hornostaj drew a walk off Brantford starter Jose Bautista. Centerfielder Knecht stepped up to the plate and promptly crushed a Bautista offering over the fence in left.

Toronto starter Pedro De Los Santos retired the side in the first inning, but served up a solo home run to DeAndre Asbury-Heath in the bottom of the second to make it a 2-1 ballgame.

Brantford tied the game in the bottom of the third on two singles and a sac fly. De Los Santos battled his way through five innings on a hot night at Arnold Anderson Stadium before turning it over to the bullpen.

The first arm out of the bullpen was newcomer Will Newton (above). He landed on the mound like a ball of energy and pitched fast. Maybe too much energy too fast, as he hit a batter, balked, and walked the bases loaded. But he settled down and forged a great escape, striking out three batters to get through his debut with no harm done.

For his effort, Newton would be gifted a win, as the Leafs retook the lead in the top of the seventh. Leftfielder Greg Carrington drew a walk off Bautista to start the inning, then moved all the way to third when the Red Sox played a stolen base attempt for an error. A sac fly by Knecht brought Carrington home and the Mapes moved ahead 3-2.

In the seventh inning, it was Zach Sloan's turn on the mound for Toronto. It was also time for some defensive heroics. After drawing a leadoff walk, Brantford attempted a bunt to move the runner over. Sloan pounced on the ball and fired to second for the out. The runner on first then attempted a steal, but catcher Mike Reeves nailed him at second. Hornostaj wrapped up the inning by scooping up a grounder for an easy out and a quick inning for the visitors.

Dustin Richardson pitched the eighth and ninth for Toronto. He came in and slammed the door like a man who holds a black belt in door-slamming. Richardson struck out five to nail down the 3-2 final, seal the win for Newton and earn himself a save. 

So yes, the Leafs saved just enough runs to take a second win on the road in Brantford this season. As for next time, we'll have to wait and see.


Toronto 3-5-0
Brantford 2-7-2

W - Newton (1-0, 0.00)
L - Bautista (0-1, 4.65)
S - Richardson (1)


BOXSCORE


With a 13-8 record, the Leafs remain two games behind the Kitchener Panthers in the IBL standings. This road trip continues at Labatt Memorial Park on Friday night, when the Leafs take on the London Majors.